AG: Atlantic Lottery Corp. Should Disclose Expenses

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – As reported by the Daily Gleaner:"Nova Scotia's auditor general says the Atlantic Lottery Corp. should disclose how much money it pays to advertising and public relations firms.

"The corporation says it's not a Crown corporation and doesn't have to comply with freedom-of-information legislation or disclose its expenses.

"Company officials say an internal committee oversees contract tendering, but the results aren't made public.

"But Roy Salmon says the company should be publicly accountable, especially if that accountability could reveal potential conflicts of interest.

"The Halifax Chronicle-Herald reports that the husband of corporation CEO Michelle Carinci works for Bristol Group, an advertising firm the corporation deals with.

"…Bristol is one of 16 advertising and public relations firms that Atlantic Lottery Corp. had working for it in 2004-05. The corporation spent a total of $10 million in contracts…"